Facebook rolls out new Lists feature

In an effort to get its users to post more personal stuff on their platform, Facebook has decided to roll out a new feature. Introducing: Lists!

It’s a pretty straightforward feature which allows users to make lists (and check them twice!) for sharing on the website.

You can find this option (if you already have it) on the status bar as one of the options. After ticking “List,” you’re given the option to pick from popular topics which include “Reasons I love my friends,” or “Movies I want to see.” You can also just create a list with your own title.

You can add as many as 10 items on each list and, in true Facebook fashion, you can even change the background color.

This feature comes after Facebook’s big algorithm change. Zuckerberg explained that “the first changes you’ll see will be in News Feed, where you can expect to see more from your friends, family and groups.” This feature is definitely looking like a step in that direction.

Vivo unwraps X21 World Cup Edition

It’s less than a month until the 2018 World Cup in Russia and FIFA’s official smartphone sponsor is pulling out all the stops before kickoff. After announcing the much-awaited launch of the retail model of the Vivo APEX concept phone, Vivo is treating fans to what the company dubs the Extraordinaire Edition of the X21. And as expected, it has World Cup extravaganza written all over it.

Based on the box alone you can already tell that this edition of the X21 is not just any other smartphone from Vivo. Unlike the less appealing white boxes we’ve encountered recently, this one is adorned with the 2018 World Cup pattern and an embossed silhouette of the X21 with the World Cup and Vivo logos front and center. There’s also a hint of the in-display fingerprint sensor, a feature pioneered by Vivo that hasn’t rolled out to any other smartphone but the X21.

The special edition X21 comes in two variants — painted with Russia’s colors, either blue or red. The World Cup pattern is a little bit more pronounced in these glass backs and it’s making me sing “Waka Waka” in my head. Wrong song, I know. 😂

Does it not make you go zamina mina éh éh? As far as specs go, it’s the same X21 that launched earlier this year: 6.28-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 660, 3,200 mAh battery, 6GB of memory, and 128GB of internal storage, a pair of 12MP and 5MP main shooters, and a 12MP camera up front for selfies.

Flipping the phone around, you get a Russia 2018 wallpaper and a custom Dusha typeface throughout the entire interface. Notice that the phone has a smaller chin bezel thanks to the futuristic under-display fingerprint sensor.

What’s a special edition smartphone without a custom icon pack? I love how the settings icon in this theme looks like a football! It’s subtle design choices like this that makes special edition phones more premium; it’s well thought out and is not just a gimmick.

Speaking of design choices, boy am I ready to see these squads on the pitch! Vivo is also offering custom shells and I’m definitely copping that Argentina case (the blue one) to match my kit. The designs are based on popular teams’ colors, clockwise from bottom left: Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, and what looks like Egypt but is supposed to be Germany — we’ll save the discussion for why it should have had a gold trim instead of white for another time.

The most important question that needs an answer is, did Vivo just predict the Top 4? We’ll find out soon enough. There are also custom themes based on the four teams so it matches your case and your team spirit. They will be available for download on the Vivo theme store.

The best part: Unlike Samsung’s Olympic edition phones, both variants of the X21 will not be exclusive to athletes and officials only. The X21 Extraordinaire Edition will retail for CNY 3,698 (US$ 579), and the blue variant will be on sale starting May 26, and red on June 1.

Out of all the gadgets and gizmos showcased, one thing caught everyone’s eye. This is the special edition Predator Helios 300.

It comes in a stunning all-white aluminum chassis with gold details — something you don’t see a lot of with gaming laptops.

Of course, it’s not all looks. Specs have been updated, too. It’s powered by the latest Core i7 processor with up to 16GB of RAM (expandable to 32GB) and 512GB SSD storage.

This thing is also equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and a 15.6-inch display with a refresh rate of 144Hz. Other than those changes, it’s still the same powerful machine released last year.

Regional pricing is yet to be announced for this bad baby. In the meantime, let’s just ogle at this beautiful, clean, and crisp-looking exterior.

As if it doesn’t get any better, Acer also unveiled matching white accessories.

A gaming mouse and headphones to match the whole mood.

Just look at that. I can’t stop staring, and I’m sure you feel the same way.

This is definitely this year’s best-looking gaming device so far. Take my money, Acer!

Vivo showcases new tech in FIFA World Cup TVC

Last year, Vivo announced that they are FIFA’s official smartphone sponsors under a six-year contract. Expect to see a lot of the brand, especially during the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.

A TVC highlighting the partnership just dropped and Vivo showcases their newest and greatest in smartphone tech. From bezel-less displays to in-display fingerprint sensors, the video shows it all.

At first, because of the in-display fingerprint sensor, the video seems to feature the Vivo X21 which launched in Singapore early this month, and is set to release in other Asian countries in June. But, what’s really curious is that it eventually shows a bezel-less smartphone with a retractable selfie camera. The only other time we saw that type of camera from Vivo was at this year’s MWC when they unveiled the Vivo APEX concept phone which they stressed was just a prototype.